Columbia Pictures
Not part of a collection.
Golden Boy
A Famous Play.....Now A Great Picture!
Despite his talent as a musician, a city boy decides to become a boxer. He's successful as a fighter — much to the dismay of his father. When gangsters try to buy a piece of him, he begins to have second thoughts.
- Original title
- Golden Boy
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- —
- Revenue
- —
John Chard
Aug 28, 2014 · via TMDB
Golden Boy in film form is almost brilliant. Joe Bonaparte is a gifted violinist, but poverty bites hard and he tries his hand at the noble art of pugilism, he proves to be a natural and a career at the top beckons, but does he risk damaging his hands and ending his interest in another noble art? Angst abound as this Rouben Mamoulian adaptation of the Clifford Odets play hits a dramatic spot, whilst simultaneously firmly being only of its time. It hasn't aged well, its dialogue and character portrayals quite simply would be scoffed at now, but this is 1939 and one really has to have the fortitude to appreciate the late 30s sensibilities to enhance the viewing experience. We follow Joe Bonapart (a wonderful and fresh faced debut from William Holden) as he is torn apart by those closest to him, family pressures, love interests and spurious heavies, all combine to pull him from pillar to post. It makes for a riveting viewing, yet after two thirds of intense character build up I found the film to be something of a let down entering the final round. Those familiar with the stage version of Golden Boy will be aware of a vastly different ending to the one we get on film, and it's a shame that the makers here wasn't brave enough to give what I believe to be the ending the film deserves. Another irritant to me was the performance of Joseph Calleia as Eddie Fuseli, where there should be menace from this gangster type fellow, we instead get over the top spivery that ultimately is way too much. Still the direction from Mamoulian perfectly frames the main characters, and Barbara Stanwyck adds a touch of class to the proceedings as the duplitious Lorna Moon. Also of note is the score from Victor Young, whilst the production value is very high indeed. Golden Boy is a film I certainly recommend to friends interested in classic cinema, but sadly to me it will always stop short of being a true classic, something I feel that the original ending would possibly have given it. 7/10
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
Barbara Stanwyck
Lorna Moon
Adolphe Menjou
Tom Moody
William Holden
Joe Bonaparte
Lee J. Cobb
Mr. Bonaparte
Joseph Calleia
Eddie Fuseli
Sam Levene
Siggie
Edward Brophy
Roxy Lewis
Beatrice Blinn
Anna 'Duchess'
William H. Strauss
Mr. Carp
Don Beddoe
Borneo
Stanley Andrews
Driscoll, Fight Official
Don Brodie
—
Dora Clement
Ill Ringsider Who Won't Leave
Dorothy Comingore
Fight Spectator
Onest Conley
Jimmy, Chocolate Drop's Brother
Sayre Dearing
Reporter
Eddie Fetherston
Reporter Wilson
Kit Guard
Ringsider
Sam Hayes
Broadcaster
Frank Jenks
Pepper White
Charles Lane
Reporter Drake
Frank Mills
Fight Spectator Rapidly Chewing Gum
Lee Phelps
Ring Announcer
Cyril Ring
Extra in Moody's New Office
Clinton Rosemond
Chocolate Drop's Father
Syd Saylor
Ringsider Next to Pa Bonaparte
Cy Schindell
Fighter
Charles Sherlock
Reporter Saying 'That's Too Bad'
Robert Sterling
Elevator Boy
Landers Stevens
Ringsider with Ill Woman
Charles Sullivan
Referee
Harry Tyler
Mickey, Pepper White's Handler
Minerva Urecal
Grocery Customer
Dave Willock
Arena Call Boy
John Wray
Chocolate Drop's Manager
Nicholas Musuraca
Director of Photography
Rouben Mamoulian
Director
Morris Stoloff
Music Director
Victor Young
Original Music Composer
Daniel Taradash
Screenplay
Lewis Meltzer
Screenplay
Sarah Y. Mason
Screenplay
Victor Heerman
Screenplay
Clifford Odets
Theatre Play
Jigarthanda DoubleX
WWE Money in the Bank 2014
The Set-Up
Brian's Song
The Public Enemy
The Fragile Colossus
Dance with Me
Smart Money
Body and Soul
Summer Rain
The Program
Believe in Me
Gypsy
The Great White Hope
Youngblood
Fighting
All the Right Moves
Once for Ever
Harvey
Blues of Chongro
Michael
The Set-Up
The Secret: Dare to Dream
Flesh and the Devil
Somebody Up There Likes Me
The Champ
Kid Galahad
Plunder Road
The Natural
Flicka
Each Dawn I Die
Cry of the City
Champion
'G' Men
Force of Evil
New York, New York
Blood and Sand
Knock on Any Door
House of Bamboo
A Second Chance
Sep 5, 1939
